Overview of Racine

Racine apartments for rent can be found in each of the distinct neighborhoods that make up the city. Located in southern Wisconsin along the shores of Lake Michigan, Racine's 332 square miles are home to around 80,000 people, including students, business professionals and families.

A notable harbor with ample facilities for boats and boaters, a downtown district with specialty shops and restaurants, and diversified neighborhoods and architecture worth bragging about, certainly give Racine a great deal to offer people from all backgrounds. The city's location on the lake, with close proximity to Chicago and Milwaukee, is another one of Racine's perks that makes it a highly accessible city with just the right amount of connections.

Living in Racine, WI

Explorers La Salle and Tonti discovered Racine in 1679 while searching for a route to the Mississippi River. The Potawatomi tribe lived and had rights to the land until 1833 when the U.S. government made an agreement with the tribe to purchase roughly 5 million acres of land, including what is now known as Racine. Racine was eventually founded in 1834.

The Racine On The Lake Festival Park marina complex was built in the 1980s, leading to an increase in tourists, in particular from Chicago and Milwaukee. According to City-Data, the waterfront community of Racine continues to offer many tourist attractions, including sports and festivals as well as cultural attractions.

Racine apartments are excellent ways to experience all this city has to offer, from the interesting architecture to the Lake Michigan shoreline and the Root River.

Racine Work and Study

Racine apartments are attractive options for business professionals and students living in the city. City-Data revealed that important parts of Racine's economy continue to be small business industries. Racine County is home to more than 300 manufacturing firms, with a significant portion residing in the city of Racine. One top business that has its headquarters in Racine and is a major employer of the area is S.C. Johnson Wax, which is well-known around the globe for manufacturing chemical products for household use, insect control and personal care.

The city of Racine does not have many large universities or colleges directly within its borders. However, the University of Wisconsin, Parkside, enrolls nearly 5,000 students on its campus, which is located between Racine and Kenosha. Rentals near Racine are popular choices for students attending nearby Marquette University and the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Rentals in Racine, WI and Cost of Living

According to information gathered by the U.S. Census Bureau in the 2006-2010 American Community Survey, Racine rentals have a vacancy rate of 8.1 percent. The median rent as of 2010 was $677, and the majority of renters, 42.4 percent, fall in the gross rent range of $500 to $749. Roughly 85 percent of all renters fall in the wider gross rent range of $300 to $999. Nearly half of all renters report spending 35 percent or more of their household income on gross rental costs.

City-Data information revealed that in March 2012, the cost of living in Racine was assigned a value of 97.7 points, which is near the national average of 100 points.

Racine Attractions and Special Events

There are many attractions within easy reach of Racine apartments. As Lake Michigan and the Root River, which empties into it, are two keys to life in Racine, there are many attractions that have sprung up from the shoreline. Many visitors and locals enjoy the picturesque views of the lake from Cliffside Park and take dips in the waters of North Beach. Festival Hall can also be found on the shore, overlooking the harbor. Another very familiar and popular area attraction is the Wind Point Lighthouse, standing at 112 feet tall and built in 1880 to guide boaters on the lake safely into the harbor.

Along the Root River, you will find a number of trails for hiking, parks for other recreational use and the river itself, which is popular for kayaking and fishing.

To find a Racine apartment or rental, check out our apartment listings. Rent.com® is happy to help you find your next home.

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